DREAM SONGS NIGHT SONGS

From Mali to Louisiana

Age Range: 3 - 7

A book and CD combination features an illustration for each of 12 lullabies from around the world, sung in their native languages on the accompanying disc. The dozen diverse places are Mali, Slovenia, Australia, Japan, Tchad, Louisiana (Cajun), Wendat (a community just outside Quebec City with its own language), Poland, South Africa, Italy, Armenia, Spain and Canada (French). Beautiful two-page acrylic paintings depict each place, in a deep palette that captures the warmth of the songs. Gold and brown, forest green and burnt orange predominate. The text is minimal—one line, in both the native language of the corresponding lullaby and in English, on each two-page illustration—and itself forms a short soothing verse. The accompanying CD has not only the songs, but also the lyrics, translations and illustrations. The decision not to include the lyrics in the book is an odd choice, making it a lovely but slight supplement to the CD, rather than vice versa. (Picture book. 3-7)